Furnace blower unit



D@ 23, 1941. p. c. STRAUCH FURNACE ABLOWER UNIT s sheets-sheet 1 FiledNov. 2l, 1939 f; iff z if. Y', 6.9

i ff

Dec. 23, 941.

P. c. sTRAUcH l FURNACE BLOWER UNI'T Filed Nov. 2l, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet2 Si Q5 @4u/e GTIVENTOIQ @www2/m Dec. 23, 1941. p Q STRAUCH 2,266,917

FURNACE BLOWER UNIT Filed Nov. 214, 1959 :s sheetssheet s INVENTOR @demPnemeevec. 23, 1941 `UNITI-:D sTArEs PATENT OFFICE i FUnNAcizlER uNIT lf Paul C; StrauchLEdgewood, Pa.

Application November zi, 1939, serial No. 305,509

, 2 claims. -(01.126-99) My present invention relates Lto the heatingart, and more particularly to the provision of a furnace blower unitadapted to be employed in connection with a -warm orhot air type offurnace.

Units mounted 0n the cold air side of a furnacenecessitate the provisionof a filter or filter section as an integral part of the blower unit,thus complicating the structure of the blower unit and increasing thecost of manufacturing and servicing the same. inthe inherent necessityof locatingsuch units adjacent the floor. This renders the electrical Afurther disadvantage resides,

unit of new and improved structure on the hot side of a furnace withoutsimultaneously giving rise tothose objections and diiiiculties aboveoutlined', particularly with respect to noise, vibra-1v tiont and rapiddeterioration due to exposure to hea Another object of my inventionresides in the production `of a furnace blower unit capable of beinglocated on the hot side of a furnace and yet wherein the electricalequipment is not only highly accessible for installation, replacement orA servicing but wherein such electrical equipment and other equipmentinvolved particularly susceptible to dirt and dampness and, therefore,tends to shorten th emmene 1ife of the same.v v1n addition, the partsare in an inconvenient location for carrying on servicing and repairswhen such become necessary. Under such conditions tutes athermodynamically ineihcient arrangement.

While some attempts have been made to alleviate these unsatisfactoryconditions, so far as I am aware there has been no satisfactory-solution of the problems involved. Retention of the unit on the coldair side of the furnace is, I am convinced, inherently unsound andundesirable engineering practice. No successful blower unit has \thusfar been developed for use on the hot side of a furnace and such hasheretofore been thought to involve insuperable obstacles. For example,it was deemed that the fact that the unit was necessarily intimatelyassociated with the furnace ducts would inevitably cause noise andvibration to be transmitted to all parts of the heating system whichwould be highly objectionable. Further diilculties were envisaged due tothe fact that the electrical equipmentwas unavoidably exposed to greatlyincreased temperaturesresulting from` close juxtaposition to hot r isnot subjected to appreciable deterioration due to furnace heat andgases. 4

A further object of my invention resides vin providing a furnace blowerunitV capable of being located on the hot side of a furnace ofthedirectred type and which is characterized by the new and useful featurethat-the heat is drawn evenly from` all sides of the heating surfaces,thus not only producing both more satisfactory and effecti've heatingbut also ensuring substantially even cooling of the furnace heatingsurfaces. ,Y

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of afurnace blower unit mounted on the1 hot side of a direct-fired furnace,which is not only more economical in operationl but which additionallysaves iioor space.

1 Other and further objects and advantages include thevarious'combinations, subcombinations and details hereinafter describedand claimed, andl such other and'further matters as will be understoodor appreciated by those skilled inthis art. Such include,'for example,the capacity for mass production at low most, the unusual noise and heatinsulation arrangement,y .the elimination of metal-to-metal contactsbetween' the blower housing and any part of the duct system of theassociated furnace, the'provision of means to absorbstarting shock andmotor hum, the use of plural inlet type centrifugal blower wheelsbalanced near the ends of the drive shaft provided therefor, the freedomfrom lubrication troubles,v and, in general, the provision of a simple,foolproof, highly efcient device. In the accompanying drawingswhereinIhave illustrated one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a plan viewvof the invention its i top and -disclosing thegeneral arrangement of parts: f

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the present device .but withthe'outer *housing and top asvbestos cover in section in order to revealthe nature and relationship nf the lparts involved:

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line III- III of Fig.l; Fig. 4 is, a perspective view illustrating the present blogver unitinstalled in operative position on a furnace bonnet; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view on a reduced scale but at an angle of about180 from that of Fig. 4.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the various viewsof the drawings.

The type of housing known as the utility home or utility type home isbecoming a greater and greater factor in the building industry.Particularly in connection with so-called low cost housing, the tendencyhas been to eliminate basements in order to provide housing units withinreach of the low income group. In such utility homes space isaccordingly at a premium. Not only is this true but all mechanical andelectrical installations must be lo'w in initial cost, of long ecientlife and as free from servicing `and maintenance as is possible. Asaresult, the sovcalled utility room orcompartment has been developed forthe utility type home, in which, for example, the heating unit islocated. Due to its propinquity to the living units, i. e., kitchen,living room and frequently bedrooms, and due to the fact that spacerequirements are strictly limclean in its operation, since the indicatedarrangement inherent in utility homes makes ngises, vibration and dirtparticularly objectiona' le.

The furnace blower unit of my present invention has been especiallydeveloped for this type of service and a number of installations alreadymade in utility'type homes has definitely demonstrated the value andadvantages of the present device. As will be noted, the unit, which isdesignated as a whole by the numeral I0, is mounted on the hot side of aconventional direct-fired warm air or hot air type of furnaceillustrated fragmentarily at II. This furnace is generally cylindricalin nature and may be iired with any suitable or available fuel such ascoal, oil or gas. The particular structure of theA furnace proper formsno part Yof the present invention. The furnace, if not already sofurnished, is provided with a frusto-conical bonnet I2. This bonnet alsoacts as an adapter between the round furnace andthe rectangular blowerunit. Suitably mounted in this bo'nnet is a water pan I3 adapted sitocontain aA layer of water to provide vibl'opcr humidiication for theheating system, and

'at the same time to cause the heating system to partake of the natureof an air conditioning system. This water pan is provided with a waterinlet I4 and an overow I5 so as to provide a As will be observed bestfrom Figs. 2 and 3, it will be appreciated that the furnace blower unitIll is mounted in the top of the furnace bonnet I2. One satisfactory wayof mounting the unit is shown and includes providing an S-shapedinterlocking collar I8, one end of which hooks over theupstanding flangeI9 of vthe furnace bonnet I2 and'the other end of which presents agroove for the reception of the' 1 downwardly turned flanges of theblower. unit base plates 2|. The latter are in-the form of transverselyextending tray-like metal members spaced apart and inparalleldisposition with their innerV marginaln edges turned upwardly toform flanges 22, bounding either side of the central opening 23 formedby thisarrangement; A pair of bridging memi bers 2l is provided, one ofwhich is disposedat ited, it is essential that the furnace be quiet and4 each end of 'opening 23. Each member 24 has hook-shaped extremities 25engaging with iiange 22 of a base plate 2I and a lateral upstanding endflange 26. Members 24`are adapted to carry insulation material suchasasbestos padding 24a, which is maintained in place by flanges 26. Thebalance of opening 23 communicates with the interior of bonnet I 2.

The base plates 21| are, as shown, provided with the relatively thickasbestos pads 21, which are preferably of the order of at least one inchin height. The pads 21 are substantially coextensive with and overliebase plates 2l. The vertical wall 28 forming the main outer closure ofthe unit I0 and defining a main chamber has its lower open end wedgedbetweenthe periphery of the asbestos pads 21 and \the vertical centralportion of the S-shaped collar I 8. rising therefrom a height which isdetermined in the yfirst v instance by the space requirements andlimitacontinuous and full supply of water in the pan I3, and at the sametime to prevent an undesirable rise in the temperature of such water toa point where it would boil or vaporize too copiously. The water inletIl is connected to a suitable source of water supply, kthe rate of flowof which is adjusted so as to maintain the pan I3 substantially full.The overow I5 accomplishes the usual purposes. As will also be notedfrom the drawings, the furnace bonnet I2 is additionally provided with athermostatic device indicated at I6, the particular structural detailsof which are not material here andthe function and operation of whichwill be understood from what follows. The thermostatic device I6, thewater inlet I4 and the overflowA I5 are mounted in suitable supportmembers on the furnace bonnet as indicated by the numerals I1.

tions of the particular installation and in the second instance by thethermodynamics of the particular set-up. Relative to this firstrequirement, it will be noted that the duct system of the furnaceinvolved connects with a single central take-off duct fragmentarilyillustrated at 29 in broken lines in Fig. 2 and interengaging with anupturned ange 30 in the cover plate 3Iof the present unit in thewell-known manner of a stovepipe connection, for example. 'It is,however, to be understood that this arrangement is not a restrictionupon the present invention, as I may equally well make the main chamber,say 6" higher and with the ducts leading to the living quartersemanating from the sides of such chamber instead of from the topthereof, particularly where the thermodynamic eiciency indicates theprovision of a chamber 32 of maximum po'ssible vertical extent.

The main chamber is shown as rectangular, and

preferably the upstanding flange 30 with which the duct 29 connects isof the same outline, although the size and shape of the latternecessarily govern the size and shape of the former, which in turn'mayvary depending upon the 'particular furnace and/or bonnet construction.While it is preferred that the main chamber and the flange 30 be square,it is to be understood that this likewise is not deemed to constitute alimitation upon the invention, as the members in question may partake ofother rectangular or similar shapes without departing from the scope andprinciples hereof.

A second set of transversely extending spaced tray-like metal platemembers 33 rests upon the pads 21. Members 33 are somewhat narrower thanplates 2| and constitute a support for the members to be described. Themembers 33 have upturned marginal edge flanges 34. A number-V -of spacedpartitions rise from and are secured to members 33. These partitions, inconjunction with the plate members 33, vdivide the main tained in properassembled condition by clamp means 6l. c

Each of the said blower compartments 36 cornmunicates at the top thereofwith an opening chamber into a central compartment 35, blower 62 in arelatively thick asbestos cover member. compartments 36 anking thecentral compart- 63, onerportion of which encloses the top of the mentand end compartments 31 anking the motor compartmentj (see Fig. 2). Aswill be blower cOInpartments. Fig. 3 shows four partiunderstood bestfrom Fig. 2, each blower lies tions 38,- the inner two having largeapertures within a casing or housing 64 which gradually 39 and the outertwo having small apertures 40 10 increases in size spiral1y, the upperend 65 of and serving as support and holding members for this casing orhousing terminating flush with additional asbestos pads, such as thoseindicated the uppenendof the said asbestos cover member at 4|, and whichhave the dual role of acting as 63. The casing 64 is preferably providedwith heatand Sound-prcong insulation. In the i a scroll 66, one(U-shaped) end 61 of which blower compartments 36 blower wheels 42'arel5 overhangs and depends from the adjacent hous- 'provided one in eachsuch compartment. The ingterminus 65. The scroll is secured to part-Specic structure of such blower wheels is not l 65 by a screw or thelike 61a.' The coiled scroll a part of this invention andis not originalwith end is free. 'I'he 'scrollis removed when the me I prefer to Vusethe squirrel eagetype of blower wheel is to be removed throughopenblower,` but blower wheels of any suitable type ing 62. f l may beemployed WithOut departing from th -The blowers-communicate, as willbeappreessentials of this invention. ciated, with the overhead chamber 68,and thence The drive shaft 43 extends through the Colnwith the ductsystem of the furnace fragmen partments 35 and 35 and intO thecompartments tarily designated at 29. The electric motor 48 31. Neareach end thereof this shaft is prois provided with one 'insulatedconductor 69 vided With a bearing member 44, each Such bealwhich leadsto a suitablev source of current and ing beingsupported by a standard45, which another insulated conductor 10 which leads to rests upon andis preferably Securedv t0 One 0f and is connected into the ,thermostaticdevice I6. theplate members 33. Each bearing is suitably This device hasa member- (not` visible) projectsecured toits standard which forms afirm base ing into the interior of the bonnet |2 which is. therefor.Between standards 45 and the par; thermosensitive so that when thetemperature` titions 4| relatively thick vertically disposed as .ewithin the bonnet; reaches e, predetermined tembestos pads 46 areprovided which, like the perature such as that set on the indicator Isaf pads previously mentiOIled, constitute insulatiOn of the thermostaticdevice, the electric motor is against sound and heat. l automaticallystarted and thus the unit set in The blower wheels 42 aforementiOned'are operation. The arrangement is, such that when mounted on the lsaiddrive shaft 43,l as shown the temperature fans a predetermined amount,best in Fig. 3, and the arrangement is such as say 1520 117.,.the unitis rendered inoperative. to produce la steady balancedassembly which isMeans is also provided such as by a, push-pull unusually free fromnoisiness and vibration The button or a switch, or by suitable movementof shaft passes through partition openings 39 and the thermostaticdevice l'as a whole pivoting it 40 and through the insulating pads'46-Each around the axle member 1|, for starting up the blower wheel 42 hasa sleeve bearing 41 by means unit manuauy when and es desired, e, g forof which it is suitably connected to said shaft summer usel Cylindricalmember 12 constifor rotation therewith. While the usual key con- 45tutes the means by which the thermen-.atie rieneetion is preferred, aset screw-for other rfas` vice is mounted in the furnace bonnet and thetening may also be employed. Suitable means tubular member connects I6and 12 and confor lubrication are likewise prOVided With relatainssuitable elementsior control and actuation tion to each such bea-ring44, and, as WilVbe purposes such as a bimetal element or a thermo-Ipointed out more fully hereinafter, the said bear- 5u couple, l a s ingsare readily accessible for lubrication, serv- A1; one end of the mainmember an extericing, etc. nal box-like member 14 is attached insuitable As Will be appreciated best frOln'Figs- 1 and 2 manner (seeFig. 4) and which is provided top x an electric InQtOr 43 0f Suitabletype1 'but prefei- `and bottom with the foraminous sections 15. On ablyof the inexpensive split-phase washing maits vertical face 'there isprovided `a foraminous chine type, is mounted by means of Va suitablesection forming a port 16. At the opposite end of standard 49 on achannel 50, being bolted thereto the main chamber an additional box-likememas at 5I, which is somewhat spaced from .the ber 11 is provided whichhas a door 18 slidable asbestos pad 52 which absorbs vibration and backand. forth in the slideways 19. This connoise and which at the Sametimeprotects saidv 00 stitutes an access door for the rear shaft bearingmotor against the heat of the furnace, said motor assembly 44, as willbe understood, The door being also protected bythe otherv asbestospadhas a foraminous port 80 therein similar to port ding shown, e. g.,46 and 53. The nd of the i6-'so that when it is in its normally closedposi asaid drive shaft 43 adjacent motor 46 is proj tionair will haveaccess to .the interior of the.: vided with a suitable pulley 54 Aover.which passes .6 5 member '|1jand therear bearing compartment of a belt55, which also encompasses a motor pulley 56 suitably provided on themotor shaft 51. The

motor pulley is provided, as shown, with a fan` like element 58 made upof a central discjsecured the plenum chamber, During operation thefanlike element 58 on lthe motor'pulley creates'an inwardly directeddraftbr current of airfwhich is exhausted'through some orallof theforami.

as by spot welding to the face of said pulley and nous openings 15 inthe bottom and top'i'of the a plurality of curved radiating arms whichact -member 14 and which, therefore, servesas a. as fan or propellerblades. The purpose of this positive cooling means for the motor andits9.o-,Y will be explained hereinafter. The motor is cessories. This Ihave found'tobe of great immounted, in'eiect, in ring-shaped hard'rubber partance as it is the only way known to mein I bearings 59within-metal ring 60, the whole mainu which a motor can be used en th'ehot side of a furnace without causing relatively rapid deteriorationof'such motor and other disadvantageous effects. By meansof port; .80 acooling effect Y' bined in chamber 68 and is finally injectedinto thefurnace duct system which is suitably connected to chamber 68. Due tothe unusual construction, nature and mounting of unit I0, noobjectionable noises are created or transmitted, starting torque of themotor is absorbed and the unit in general fulfills all requirementsadmirably, not the least' of which is the versatility thereof, i. e.,the adaptability to various furnaces and space limitations. The unitcontributes to use of minimum floor and head space and to use incorners, etc. where known units cannot be suitably installed.

It will be appreciated further that the present device partakes of thenature of an air conditioning unit in that it not only positivelydischarges and distributes filtered heated air but also humidifles thatair. The extent of humidification depends upon the temperature of theair, the volume and rate` of travel thereof, and upon the exposedsurface of water in the water pan, but these facts are well understoodand are' suitably correlated and adjusted for given condi- .tions`. Notonly is the device of utility in connection with heating but can beemployed to advantage during hot and/or dry weather for cooling and/orhumidifying purposes. For example, if the device is operated in thesummertime when the furnace is not in operation, the conditioned currentof air which is caused to travel through the furnace ducts will producea distinct cooling effect. This, of course may be enhanced by the useVof ice or other' cooling medium in the water pan, should such bedesired.

The foregoing is intended as illustrative and.

exemplary and not as restrictive or limitative, and within the scope andprinciples hereof I may make many modifications, substitutions, addiofthe unit or the specific materials used therein. Duct and blower sizes,motor speed (a constant speed'motor is preferably employed), and size ofwater pan may all be subject to whatever variation may be required forthe purpose of adapting the device to a wide variety of installationconditions. As hereinbefore indicated, such lters as are employed inconnection with the present invention are installed on the cold air sideofthe furnace, thus not only facilitating instal'- lation, removal andmaintenance but avoiding .complication of the present unit orundesirable increase in the expense thereof. A unit madein accordancewith this invention is not only unusually quiet and long lived but,barring purely electrical troubles such as may be encountered byoverloading electrical circuits, the present device normally needspractically no maintenance or attention even over an extended period.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A blower structure adapted to be supported on the top of a furnacecasing, the structure comprising a base portion forming the top wall ofthe furnaceand having a medial opening for discharge of air from thefurnace casing into the structure, a sound and heat insulating bodysupported on said base portion providing pad portions on opposite sidesof saidopening, a blower unit mounted on each pad portion out ofmetallic contact with thebase portion and in communications andomissions, all of which are deemed to be apart of this invention so longas they fall within the terms of the appended claims. I am notl in anyway restricted, for example, as to size tion with s aid opening, drivingmeans for the blower units including a motor mounted on said insulatingbody, and means free'of metallic contact with said blower units and incommunication therewith for receiving discharged air therefrom.

2. A blower structure adapted to be supported on the top of a furnacecasing, the structure comprising a base portion forming the top wall ofthe furnace and having an opening for discharge of air from the furnacecasing into the structure,-a sound and heat insulating body supported onsaid base portion, a blower unit in communication with said opening, adriving means for said blower unit including a motor, said blow- 'erunitand motor being mounted on said body out of metallic contact with saidbase portion,

and means free of metallic contact with said PAUL C. s'rRAUcH.

